SELF-HELP HANDBOOK

This Self-Help Handbook for writers comes from Writing in Context One by Clayton Graves (Nelson publishing Canada, 1989).
It is meant to help you get un-stuck when you are stuck as a writer. Look for the problem you are having, and try some of Graves' suggested solutions.

Troubleshooting Tips:

"I just can't decide on a topic"

• Build a web or mind map around your general theme. This will help you break it down into more precise topics.
• Brainstorm some possible topics, on your own or with a friend/parent/classmate...
• Check your ideas notebook for topic ideas that you may have jotted down.

"I am working on a story with a great plot, but I can't keep the characters straight! They all sound alike!"

• Write down a list of characters.
  • Who is the main character? (there may be more than one)
  • Who are the secondary, or minor, characters?
• Build a web to define the main character(s) from the inside and the outside. Describe him/her/them to a classmate. Encourage your classmate to ask you questions.
• Think about what your characters are doing to make the plot move along.
  • Do you have more characters than you need?
  • Are you trying to say too much about each character?

"I asked someone to review my writing, and he or she told me it was 'disorganized', or 'skipped around'."

• Ask your reviewer to point out any specific sections he or she thinks are a problem.
• Talk to your reviewer about what style of organization might work best for that piece of writing:
  • main idea...details
  • chronological order
  • introduction/body/conclusion
  • some combination
  • other style entirely (describe)
• Look carefully at each paragraph in your report.
  • does all the information in a single paragraph seem to belong together?
  • can you improve the order of paragraphs?
  • do you need to change some words, or add transitional phrases to show how one paragraph leads to the next?
• Check over your notes to see if you have left out any important information.

"I'm editing my writing, but it sounds kind of boring and 'flat'."

• Look carefully at your sentences.
  • Do you have a mixture of long and short sentences?
  • Are there some sentences you can combine?
• Reread your descriptions.
  • Can you add interest by using a simile, a metaphor, or some alliteration?
  • Can you improve your word choices by using a thesaurus (be sure the word has the connotation you think it does by checking a dictionary!)
• Check your punctuation.
  • Can you add feeling to your writing by changing the punctuation?
• Check your dialogue.
  • Avoid "he said/she said" over and over by using synonyms for "said" that fit the character and the situation, like
    • advised, agreed, argued, badgered, babbled, cackled, called, carried on, charged, chattered, commanded, complained, commented, confessed, continued, disagreed, drawled, droned on, faltered, greeted, growled, grumbled, grunted, harangued, harped, hesitated, hinted, hummed, insinuated, interrupted, lectured, murmured, muttered, negotiated, ordered, promised, questioned, ranted, raved, roared, spluttered, spouted, stammered, stuttered, swore, talked on, warned, went on, whispered.
  • Insert some information about your character just before or just after she speaks, as for example:
    • "Okay, Jason, what's bothering you?" Mrs. Menardi was giving him a stern look.
    • Jason's voice was quiet now. "Well, Mrs. Menardi, I was sort of hoping you'd let me go on the field trip, too."

"I am ready to publish a piece of writing to my portfolio, but I can't think of a title."

• Ask a few classmates to read your piece of writing and then brainstorm titles with you.
• Try using a phrase or a line of dialogue from the piece itself.
• Try using commands or questions for titles:
  • Soccer, Anyone?
  • Keep Out!
• Try interesting, understated titles:
  • "A Quiet Day" (for an adventure story)
  • "The Tiny Workers" (for an article about computer microprocessors)